Issue 80, October 2024
Rodrigo Duterte
How he created a PHL ‘twilight zone’
Agustin Guido III
Portrait of a nurse as a writer
Melissa Jubane
In nurse’s murder, suspect is another RN
Letter from the Editor
Extradite Quiboloy
Now that Apollo Quiboloy is in custody, the public is weighing how Justice will be served – and where.
Will the celebrity pastor, who ordained himself the “Son of God,” face accountability in the United States where he allegedly trafficked women and molested young girls, and engaged in bulk cash smuggling, according to a U.S. federal indictment? Or will justice be served in the Philippines where the legal system looks the other way when it comes to moneyed and politically connected individuals?
Calls for Quiboloy to be extradited to the United States are starting to gain traction. His alleged crimes – “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children,” according to the FBI -- happened in the U.S., specifically California and Hawaii. It’s the U.S. laws he violated so it is just right that he faces the consequences of his felonies there. He and his co accused have pleaded not guilty.
As noted by lawyer Randy Gonzales, “Someone can’t just run away from justice to another country after an accusation of committing a crime.”
Extradition makes the case for unbiased justice possible.
The Philippines and the United States have an extradition treaty where both countries agreed to turn over criminals hiding in one another’s territories. They signed the treaty in November 1994 and ratified in November 1996 when Fidel Ramos was president.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo
Founding Editor
Cristina DC Pastor
Managing
de Vega said that under the process, the U.S. will make a request to the Philippines to surrender an individual. The Department of Foreign Affairs will endorse the request to the Department of Justice which will examine the request.
“If found with merit, DOJ will file a case in a Philippine court requesting that an order of extradition be issued. The subject of course also has right to contest his extradition in court,” he pointed out to The FilAm. Senator Risa Honti-
veros and a DOJ official said the United States is preparing to send an official request soon.
Ambassador Jose ‘Babe’ Romualdez, in a 2018 column for Philippine Star, gave a brief history about how the two countries have made use of the treaty to render justice and prevent criminals from fleeing the law. He wrote:
“In August 2009, the Philippines extradited high-ranking Abu Sayyaf terrorist group member Madhatta Haipe to the U.S. over charges of kidnapping for ransom of several individuals that included several Americans. Haipe was responsible for kidnapping 16 people, six of them children, in a remote area in Mindanao in 1995. It took almost 15 years…
“In 1998, the FBI requested for the extradition of the late Mark Jimenez a.k.a. Mark Crespo (for reportedly illegal campaign donations to Bill Clinton) to the United States. Jimenez managed to delay the proceedings by using political connections but was eventually extradited to the United States in 2002.”
The matter of sovereignty will always be the biggest obstacle.
“The issue is whether the Philippines should surrender its own citizen to a foreign country,” said De Vega. The extradited person will have the chance to defend himself/ herself in court, argued Gonzales.
De Vega said a smooth operation of extradition helps both countries “maintain good cooperation in the pursuit of justice.”
Send Quiboloy back to the U.S. where his revolting crimes were committed. Let him fall on his sword. -- Cristina DC Pastor
Contributing Writers Marissa
Maricar C. Padilla
Angelito Cabigao
Ludy AstraquilloOngkeko
Lindy Rosales
Newlywed nurse killed; suspect is another RN
A GoFundMe page was set up for newlywed nurse Melissa Jubane, 32, from Beaverton, Oregon, murdered following her marriage in late August to boyfriend Bryan Llantero.
Police said her body was found September 4. They identified the suspect as neighbor Bryce Johnathan Schubert who is also a nurse, but they did not work in the same hospital. Appearing in court, he denied the charges of second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree abuse of a corpse. He is being held at the Washington County Jail.
The media is reporting that Jubane did not show up for work after returning from Hawaii where she and Llantero wed. She is a registered nurse at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Washington County.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that Melissa Jubane tragically lost her life in a senseless act of violence. Melissa was not only a loving daughter, friend, and community member, but also a dedicated nurse who cared deeply for her family, friends, and patients. She touched countless lives with her kindness, compassion, and selflessness,” states her GoFundMe page organized by Josephine Anne Castillo.
As of September 10, $76,990 has been raised out of a $50,000 goal.
The Oregon Nurses Association has organized a vigil on September 9 at the Ridgewood View Park. They invited the public to share their recollections of Jubane, who is known to be a “kind and compassionate” friend and health care professional.
They issued a press statement: “The Oregon Nurses Association is devastated by the loss of Melissa Jubane, an extraordinary nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital and a member of the Oregon Nurses Association. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Melissa during this incredibly difficult time. We stand with our community in mourning and offer our full support to all those impacted by this devastating loss.”
The University of Portland School of Nursing and Health Innovations, where Jubane studied nursing, offered their condolences.
“The School of Nursing and Health Innovations mourns the loss of Melissa Jubane, a 2018 gradu-
ate. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues for this unspeakable tragedy. She exemplified UP Pilot Nurse values, and the entire SONHI community will miss her greatly…We stand in support of her loved ones and those who worked so closely with Melissa. We appreciate all the expressions of concern from the community. Melissa was a person of Providence, and we will miss her.”
The suspect, Schubert, worked as a nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center from September 2022 to October 2023, according to reports.
The police said Jubane and the suspect lived in the same apartment complex. They have not revealed any motive.
‘A loving daughter, friend, and community member.’ Photos: Beaverton Police Department
Police said Melissa Jubane and the suspect lived in the same apartment complex. A motive has not yet been identified.
Steven Raga is elected Official of the Year in NYS Assembly
Queens County Young Democrats named Assemblyman Steven Raga on his first year as Elected Official of the Year in 2023! He has been a whirlwind of a legislator during his first two-year term.
Being the first Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2022, he was able to pass resolutions that, for the first time in New York State history, celebrated Filipino American History Month, Philippine Independence Day, and recognized the Bataan Death March as a fateful event in the Philippines’s past.
In fact, for the first time, in June 2024 Philippine Independence Day celebration, Steven presented to the Assembly in Albany the 30 Filipino indigenous tribes from the province of Misamis Oriental beautifully wearing their costumes. He was accompanied by Consul General Senen Mangalile, Ambassador Mario de Leon, and Mayor Erick Cañosa of Gingoog City.
Steven’s first term in office has been marked by a plethora of victories— ranging from securing critical funding for the AAPI community, making our neighborhoods safer, ensuring our schools are properly funded, investing in affordable housing and supporting tenants.
He has been a strong advocate for the AAPI community, continuously championing funding for the Equity Budget Coalition, which provides $30 million for crisis intervention centers and community boards to counter hate crimes against Asians. He supported the declaration of Asian Lunar New Year to be a new school holiday. He has also been a strong proponent of investing in affordable housing as evidenced by his successful advocacy of $80 million for Mitchell-Lama capital improvements, support for a five-year pilot program in Community Board 2 to legalize basement apartments, and authorization for NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to structure rent for low-income families. For renters,
he supported the Emergency Rental Assistance Program of $400 million to provide grants to those who fell behind in their rent payments during the pandemic.
Steven advocates an increase in public safety as he backed reducing the speed limit in NYC from 25 mph to 20 mph and from 15 mph to 10 mph in certain dangerous intersections. He also supported authorizing the NYPD to shut down and padlock illegal smoke and cannabis shops to protect minors, consumers and residents. Steven also worked tirelessly during his first two years to ensure our schools and children are properly supported. He endorsed a $24.9 billion investment in schools so they received the same funding they did the year prior. He also backed universal FAFSA applications to be completed by high school seniors to make sure all eligible students receive aid for higher education.
He has also been involved in the local community. His office regularly attends local community board and civic group meetings, conducted business round tables in Little Thailand and Little Manila and over four small business walkthroughs. He hosted over 39 events in his district, assisted over 800 constituents with problems on housing, benefits and other community concerns. He has also supported funding of $500,000 to local community organizations and schools serving the communities of Assembly District 30.
With such hardworking, diligent and effective service to his constituents, Steven Raga deserves re-election on November 5 in Assembly District 30 encompassing the neighborhoods of Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Middle Village, Jackson Heights, and Astoria.
On his first term, a plethora of victories. Photo by Edwin Josue
What the world needs now? A little more ‘Lambing’
By Mary Lou Cunanan
There’s a special kind of sweetness in the Filipino heart, one that’s hard to explain and even harder to translate. We call it “Lambing.”
You might think of it as tenderness or affection, but those words don’t quite capture the magic. Lambing is more than just soft words or kind gestures. It’s like wrapping someone in a warm, fuzzy blanket when they don’t even know they need it. It’s in the way we say, “Maglalambing ako sa 'yo ha? Ipinagluto kita” — which, in English, awkwardly translates to, “I’ve lovingly cooked for you.” But even that doesn’t do it justice. It’s more like, “I poured all my love into this dish, and I want you to feel that love with every bite.”
Lambing isn’t just about what we do; it’s about how we do it. Even when asking for a favor, there’s a sweetness to the way we say, "Makikisuyo po," like a soft little nudge of affection that’s impossible to resist. The words, the tone, the smile — it’s all part of the Lambing charm.
And here’s the best part: Lambing isn’t just for family or close friends. Nope! It extends to strangers, to passersby, to pets, to anyone lucky enough to stumble into the embrace of a Filipino heart. That gentle glow, that soft, playful sweetness, is in the simplest moments: "Kumain ka na ba? Kain tayo!" — a cheerful offering of food that says, “Come, sit, be loved.”
I grew up immersed in Lambing. It was everywhere — in my mom’s voice, in my siblings’ acts of kindness, in the way we say “I love you” without ever saying it outright. Lambing does all the talking, weaving love into everything we do. And then, I moved to the U.S. at 21, full of excitement and independence. I was walking my own path, discovering new horizons — but somewhere along the way, I started to feel a little too pragmatic, a little too hard-edged. The lyricism of Lambing was missing.
I began to crave it, not just from my family, but from any Filipino I’d encounter. Because that’s what this emotion does. It’s not just affection; it’s the everyday magic of softening life’s edges. It’s in every Filipino smile, every "Kabayan?" whispered to a fellow Filipino when you’re far from home. It’s that universal, unspoken understanding of care. And yes, it’s in every "Kumain ka na ba?", which is really more of a loving nudge to say, "Eat, share, and feel at home."
My mom, who passed away from pancreatic cancer, probably received highest honors in Lambing if ever there was such a thing. She’d still call me “bunso,” which translates to the baby of the family, even when I was all grown up. I’d proudly show her my stars or medals from school, and she would pinch my cheeks
to show how proud she was of me with a gentleness in her voice.
Even when she was undergoing chemotherapy, having lost so much weight and struggling to walk, she would still muster all her strength to walk a few steps, knock on my office door as I worked, and lovingly say, “Anak, kain na tayo” (My daughter, let’s eat).
I think the world could use a little more of this peculiar Filipino trait. Imagine if we all sprinkled a bit of it into our daily lives! Instead of just a cold “please” or “thank you,” we could add that soft smile, that warmth in our voices, that sparkle in our eyes that says, “I see you, I care.” The world would feel a little kinder, a little more playful, and a whole lot more loving. So, here’s to Lambing, the Filipino superpower of sweetness. It’s the secret ingredient that makes life more joyful, more tender, more fun. And maybe, just maybe, it’s what the rest of the world needs to feel a little more alive.
Mary Lou Cunanan is a writer, world traveler, and international business professional. She aspires to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Filipinos globally by covering inspiring stories, events, and organizations that showcase Filipino excellence. She is the first and only accredited Harvard Business Publishing Education Faculty Advisor Program in the Philippines and was recognized as one of the Most Influential Filipinas in the world by the Filipina Women's Network in 2016.
Mother and child in fun-loving embrace. Filipinos call that Lambing.
Lambingan at the Manila Peninsula: The author and her fiancé in a tender photo-op.
Happiest states in America: New Jersey ranks 3rd
A personal-finance website has released its report on the Happiest States in America in 2024 to identify the places that create the best conditions for life satisfaction.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 30 key indicators of happiness. The data set ranges from the depression rate and the share of adults feeling productive to income growth and the unemployment rate.
| Happiest States in America
1. Hawaii 11. South Carolina
2. Maryland 12. South Dakota
3. New Jersey 13. California
4. Utah 14. Florida
5. Delaware 14. New Hampshire
6. Minnesota 16. Virginia
7. Connecticut 17. Illinois
8. Idaho 18. Kansas
9. Nebraska 19. Iowa 10. Massachusetts 20. Georgia
| Best vs. Worst
• Hawaii has the lowest share of adult depression, which is 2.3 times lower than in Tennessee, the state with the highest.
• New Jersey has the fewest suicides (per 100,000 residents), which is 3.7 times fewer than in Montana, the state with the most.
• Utah has the highest volunteer rate, which is 2.6 times higher than in Florida, the state where the rate is the lowest.
• Utah has the lowest separation and divorce rate, which is 1.7 times lower than in New Mexico, the state where the rate is the highest.
| New Jersey
New Jersey is the third-happiest state, with the lowest share of people reporting traumatic events during their childhood and the second-highest life satisfaction rate. The state also has the second-lowest depression rate and the second-highest share of people who have supportive relationships and love in their lives. All these factors come together to create the conditions for good mental health.
Residents of New Jersey also demonstrate their happiness in their marriages. The Garden State has the third-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 17%.
A Jersey neighborhood with a suburban charm
Finally, when it comes to finances, New Jersey has the third-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year. It also has the sixth-lowest food insecurity rate, which shows that the state is making progress when it comes to addressing poverty. Plus, New Jersey has the ninth-lowest share of people who get anxious when thinking about their personal finances.
Banker Eric Bustamante tends to agree with the report but took exception to the bane of many New Jersey residents: property taxes.
“I am not that happy when it comes to property taxes,” said the general manager of Philippine National Bank, a Raritan Valley resident of 12 years. “We are paying $15,350 annual property taxes on our home.”
Otherwise, he is pleased to be a resident of New Jersey with its “big and spacious” houses and “lush green environment.”
“That’s why we are called the Garden State,” he said. “New Jersey is truly a family life home.”
Marketing professional Mylz Tolentino has returned to Jersey City after living in Las Vegas for many years.
“I moved back to N.J. for a reason.” Her way of saying New Jersey will always be home.
Residents banker Eric Bustamante; marketing professional Mylz Tolentino
A beach town along the Jersey Shore. Photos: Unsplash
Exhibit on PHL-American war opens aboard Philly’s museum ship Olympia
While much is known about the Spanish-American War and Olympia’s role in the conflict, rarely is there discussion about the conflict between the Philippines and the United States, the role the ship played in it or how it became a symbolic lightening rod for the war and lasting impacts of American colonialism.
On October 10, 2024, Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) will explore this time in the two countries’ histories in a new exhibit opening aboard Olympia entitled Philippine-American War (1899-1902): Complex Symbols & Conflicting Relationships.
Located in the senior officers’ quarters through December 31, 2025, visitors will learn about the war itself as well as the symbols that arose through the complicated relationship between the United States, the Philippines and the Filipino people. To ensure the most accurate depiction of the war and its outcomes, ISM is partnering on the exhibit with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. (FECGP) to include a Filipino perspective.
“We are very excited to be partnering with the Filipino community in the Greater Philadelphia region to bring this exhibition to life. The Olympia is the largest artifact in our collection and so it is fitting that it houses this exhibition that tells the story of the events that occurred after the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898,” says Peter S. Seibert, Independence Seaport Museum’s president and CEO.
Told in four sections, the exhibit will first place in context the shifting of power between Spain, the Philippines and the United States of America in the outcome of the Spanish-American War as well as to introduce visitors to the islands of
Insurgent Army surrendering to Gen. Frederick D. Grant in the Philippine Islands. Image from ‘Insurgent Army Surrenders,’ J. D. Givens (1863-1939), from ‘Scenes taken in the Philippines, China, Japan, and on the Pacific’ (c. 1901), photolithograph on paper, Cruiser Olympia Association Collection.
the Philippines and key figures of the time.
The second section will highlight the fleeting semblance of freedom for the Philippines only to have it taken away, the United States’ refusal to recognize the First Philippine Republic and the 1899 Battle of Manila, which was the first and largest battle in the war.
Section three will delve deeper into the war itself and the advantages each
side had within it as well as a look at the United States’ and the Philippines’ positions as well as how they viewed the war and commemorate it to this day. The last section will examine the lasting effects of the conflict, subsequent imperialism and the continued relationship between the countries.
“We are grateful ISM is sharing an often-unspoken part of our nations’ intertwined histories, this time including a Filipino voice in the
discussions around this conflict,” says Roman Ventura, president of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. “This exhibit will inform generations of Filipinos and Americans alike not only about the Philippine-American War but also its significant influence on the global relationship between the United States and the Philippines up to the present day.”
Since the early 2000s, ISM and FECGP have been community partners, with the VFW Pvt. Tomas Claudio Post 1063 having held the first Philippine flag-raising ceremony aboard Olympia in 1975. Through these annual celebrations and a desire to illuminate the Filipino perspective, the dialogue about the conflict and changing views within the Filipino community about the two countries’ historical relationship has continued between the two organizations.
The Independence Seaport Museum (ISM), founded in 1960 as the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, encourages visitors to discover Philadelphia's river of history and world of connections. It is home to interactive and award-winning exhibitions, one of the largest collections of historic maritime artifacts in the world and a boatbuilding workshop. Visit phillyseaport.org.
Founded in 1975, the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, Inc. (FECGP) is a 501(c)3 corporation that coordinates events of its 23 member organizations to serve the tens of thousands of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the Greater Philadelphia Region, specifically in the counties of Salem, Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, and Mercer in Southern New Jersey; Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks in Southeastern Pennsylvania; New Castle in Northern Delaware; and Cecil in Northeastern Maryland. Visit www. theFECGP.org to learn more about the Filipino community around the Delaware Valley.
Olympia museum ship. Photo: ISM website
Remembering Nena del Rosaro Villanueva,
the 1st Filipina prodigy who performed at Carnegie Hall
The family of Nena Del Rosario Villanueva, the first Filipina to play at Carnegie Hall, hosted simultaneous concerts in Manila, Philippines and New York City, to celebrate her 88th birth anniversary on September 22, 2024.
The concert featuring four global Filipino musicians who played Nena’s favorite classical numbers was held at the Klavierhaus store in Midtown Manhattan. Co-produced by Nena’s son Jun Villanueva and daughter-in-law Myla, pianists Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz and Rene Dalandan, soprano Margarita Giannelli and violinist Jeanne Marquez shared their personal relationships with Nena and how she inspired their work and craft. Nena is a godmother to both Cruz and Giannelli. Dalandan had performed with Nena in previous concerts, and Marquez has been a follower of the legendary pianist.
Nena was the first Filipina soloist to perform at the Carnegie Hall and the first Filipina soloist to perform with the New York Philharmonic, again at Carnegie Hall. She then hit the airwaves as regular special guest soloist at CBS Radio, where her performances delighted listeners all over the world through Voice of America. She accomplished all this by the age of 15.
The one-hour musical included the sharing of the life and legacy of Nena, three songs by Nicanor Abelardo: Bituing Marikit, Nasaan Ka Irog, Mutya
Ng Pasig rendered by Giannelli and accompanied by Dalandan. Liebesleid, Bahay Kubo and Somewhere Over the Rainbow had Marquez and Dalandan performing together. Five pieces from solo pianist Cruz: Asturias, Odeon, Alborado del gracioso, Liebestraume No. 3 in A-flat Major and Ballade No. 1 in g minor, Op. 23 engaged the audience.
Joining the Crespo Villanueva family in the celebration were Consul General Senen Mangalile, Trade Representative Ben Uy, Maestro Rony
Rogoff, entrepreneur Imelda McCain, art dealer Federico De Vera, philanthropist Ayesha Vera Yu, and many other industry leaders and music enthusiasts. Journalists, fashion stylists, finance executives and legal professionals enjoyed the little night music, where they learned the impact, life and legacy of Nena as shared by her family and people close to her.
The livestream of the recital is available at the klavierhaus.com website.
Nena’s formal training in piano began at age 11 at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, the first Filipino to study in the school. She passed away on June 4, 2021.
Nena through the years. Courtesy of the Villanueva family.
The concert featured pianists Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz and Rene Dalandan, soprano Margarita Giannelli, and violinist Jeanne Marquez. Photo: Troi Santos
Agustin Guido III: Portrait of a nurse as a writer
By Maricar C. Padilla
Agustin ‘Gus’ Guido III was a 28-year-old bedside nursing newbie in the U.S. when his initiation into health care happened.
He was doing his rounds and walked into an elderly patient’s room.
The 85-year old-woman smiled affectionately at him and said, “Oh, honey, you’re just what the doctor ordered!” He laughed it off thinking she was just being sweet.
Then she added, “I’d feel better if you held my hand.”
He held her hand gently and tried to stay professional. But she leaned in and added, “If I were 50 years younger, you’d be in real trouble.”
He quickly took her vitals and left hurriedly as she called out, “Don’t forget, I’m still young at heart!”
Welcome to nursing in America!
This is just one of the many experiences that inspired Gus to write Leading with Heart and Humor: A Nurse Leader’s Guide to Inspiring Excellence. In the book, he shares key leadership insights and anecdotes to illustrate his belief that effective leadership is both an art and a science. Drawing on three decades of nursing experience, Gus offers a practical and heartfelt guide for current and aspiring leaders in healthcare and beyond. It is his first attempt at writing, a skill he would have pursued earlier if not for his dedication to nursing.
“If I had not become a nurse, I would likely have pursued a career in education or teaching. Journalism is another path I might have taken,” he shared with The FilAm in an interview.
Gus currently works as the Nursing Director of New Jersey Eastern Star, a rehabilitation and nursing facility in Bridgewater, N.J. His expertise is Long Term Care and Sub-acute Care Rehabilitation, and he leads a team that provides
critical care to clients which includes brain trauma and ventilator-dependent patients.
He recalled that when his mother was hospitalized in the Philippines for a heart-related condition, “I witnessed firsthand the care and compassion the nurses provided her. This experience deeply impacted me, showing me the power of nursing to bring comfort and
families. “I am committed to elderly care with my passion for supporting them through their rehabilitation.”
He had a cherished job working as a nurse at the Department of Education in the Philippines when the opportunity of immigrating to the U.S. opened up.
“My father was bravely battling cancer, and his doctor, seeing my potential, offered me an extraordinary opportunity: a chance to move to the U.S. with permanent residency and all expenses paid,” he said.
Although going abroad was not the primary factor, it did play a role in the difficult decision.
healing during vulnerable moments.”
From that moment on, he knew nursing was the “path I wanted to pursue.”
“I believe in providing the highest quality of care to individuals who have given so much to society throughout their lives.” He was referring to the elderly, the people who are facing the greatest risks through age, illness and, at times, loneliness and isolation from their
“My dad talked me into going abroad,” said Gus. “He promised he and mom would follow. At that time, they were already under petition by my U.S. citizen sister.”
“I knew that nursing could open doors to opportunities beyond my home country, allowing me to expand my horizons and grow both personally and professionally,” he said.
Unfortunately, his father had a massive stroke and expired a few weeks before their visa was approved.
Gus on his first assignment as director of nursing at a facility in New Jersey, specializing in Brain Trauma Rehabilitation and Ventilator-Dependent patient care.
Gus receives the ‘Bright Star Angel: Reflecting a Light from Within’ from his Rehabilitation Director Lee Traynor, in celebration of his book's publication.
A recipient of the 2024 Asia’s Golden Icon Award for Exemplary Leadership in Hospital and Healthcare Organizations. At Okada Hotel, Manila, May 31, 2024.
Adapting to a new culture and hospital system was not easy. He described his early years as both “challenging and transformative.” He experienced what he called “cultural adjustment,” which involved racial prejudice, both from patients and the nursing leadership. Some, he said, were “very vocal” about their bias against foreign-educated nurses and a lopsided preference for U.S. graduates.
Through it all, he came to appreciate how his journey has been “incredibly rewarding.”
“Each step along the way has been a learning experience, helping me grow into the nurse and leader I am today,” he said.
The youngest of four siblings, Gus belongs to a family of healthcare professionals and government officials. His eldest sister is a physician, and several of his nephews and nieces
His first published book, ‘Leading with Heart and Humor: A Nurse Leader’s Guide to Inspiring Excellence,’ is now available on Amazon.
are nurses. His mother, Alicia Tobias Guido, is a retired district supervisor at the Department of Education, while his father, Agustin Evalla Guido, Jr., was a provincial officer in the Department of Interior and Local Government.
| Active social life
Beyond the scrubs, the tubes and the thermometers, Gus has an active social life as a member of the Filipino community in the New York Metropolitan area. He is the current vice president of the New Jersey Association of Directors of Nursing Administration LTC. He is also involved in different organizations such as the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey; the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Health, Humanitarian, Environmental and Disaster Relief; Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Education and Mentorship; and the Rutger’s University Food Drive. He has been a recipient of several awards acknowledging his proficiencies and skills: 2022 National Nurse Leader of the Year by the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration; 2023 Nurse Leader of the Year by the New Jersey Association Directors of Nursing Administration; 2024
National Best Research Poster Presentation from the Philippine Nurses Association of America; 2024 Innovative Health Advocacy Award from the Apex Alliance Council Awards and Ministry; and 2024 Asia’s Golden Icon Award as Asia’s Exemplary Leader for Hospital and Healthcare Organization.
Right now, his thoughts are veering toward writing a second book: a poetry or a motivational book.
“I have always enjoyed exploring and expressing ideas through words,” said the former editor-in-chief of his school paper. “Over the years, I have found it an excellent outlet for creativity and a powerful tool to inspire others.”
To de-stress, he goes on afternoon walks, watches movies and visits the malls for some shopping. He enjoys traveling and creating artworks, especially 3D posters with moving parts and lights.
Caring for the elderly can be an exhausting and gratifying responsibility, but Gus knows writing beautiful essays and poetry is the best stress reliever.
Maricar C. Padilla is the writer previously bylined as Maricar CP Hampton. She is a regular contributor to The FilAm.
With his mom in one of their travels, at Gaylord Hotel in Tennessee.
| October 3
Ikaw, Ako, Tayo (You, Me, We): Culture Bridge featuring Kinding Sindaw
Flushing Rooms A & B
41-17 Main Street
Flushing NYC
| October 3 to 5
Unity Conference: The Power of Relationships
Virgin Hotels NYC
1227 Broadway, NYC
Calendar of Events
| October 4
‘Nurse Unseen’ theatrical release
Quad Cinema 34 W 13th Street NYC
| October 5
‘Ibalon: The Ballet and the Nutcracker.’ Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc.’s 36th anniversary featuring the Philippine Ballet Theater LaGuardia Performing Arts Center
31-10 Thomson Avenue Long Island City, NYC
| October 6
Fashion for Compassion Cancer
Charity Gala by Filipino American Cancer Care
Hyatt Regency
1800 President’s Street
Reston, VA
Contact info@filamcancercare.org
| October 6 (rain date October 13)
3rd Annual Filipino American Festival at Harvard Square / Philippine American Alliance
Harvard Square
Church Street parking lot Cambridge, MA
Email contact@hspaa.org for details
| October 6
3 As 1 with Tootsie Guevara, Angel Ram and Garth Garcia
The Triad
158 W. 72nd Street NYC
| October 13
Flea Market at Our Lady of Mercy
Parish Church
Maria Room
40 Sullivan Drive
Jersey City N.J.
| October 18
Odette Quesada: All Hits; U.S. Tour 2024
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
777 Harrahs Boulevard
Atlantic City, N.J.
| October 19
Kundiman Concert: A Philippine Journey
The Rock Church
57-02 Hoffman Drive
Queens NYC
Contact Krizia 845-453-1610
| October 23
Rockoustic
Stiff Lu featuring Terence Teves and Doc Ime Cruz
Likha Gallery
429 Commerce Street
Hawthorne, N.Y.
| October 24
FAHM Author Visit with Lynnor Bontigao
Bergenfield Public Library
50 West Clinton Avenue
Bergenfield, N.J.
| October 27
14th Annual TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) Honolulu
| November 7
Filipino Heritage Night with the N.J. Devils Prudential Center 25 Lafayette Street Newark, N.J.
For questions, contact Jay Cariaso at 973-982-6332 or jcariaso@ prucenter.com
| November 9
Neurodiversity Comic Con presented by Gillen Brewer School Asphalt Green Upper East Side NYC
| November 10
Iskolympics 2024: Fundraiser for iska and isko For questions, or if you would like to sponsor and/or help with event logistics, contact info@ upaainamerica.org.
| November 15
Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour Palace Theatre
Albany N.Y.
| November 15 to 17
Rizalian Unity in Action: Knights of Rizal USA Eastern Regional Assembly Newark, N.J.
| November 20
Maya’s Hope Lotus Ball 2024
The Edison Ballroom 240 W 47th Street NYC
| November 22
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Immigrants are not taking ‘Black jobs:’ new study
Anew analysis published on August 29 takes on the question of whether immigrants are displacing U.S.-born Black workers, finding that the perception of displacement is not borne out by the data.
While immigrants represent a growing share of the U.S. workforce and have expanded their presence across industries, Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Senior Policy Analyst Valerie Lacarte demonstrates that U.S.-born Black workers have maintained their share of a prime-age labor market even as it has expanded substantially.
The number of U.S.-born Black prime-age workers increased by nearly 2.4 million between 1990 and 2022, analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data shows. The drop in the nativeborn share was primarily driven by a decline in the number of non-Latino White U.S.-born workers due to aging and falling birth rates. The growth in U.S.-born Black prime-age workers partially compensated for the
10.2 million fewer U.S.-born White workers in the job market in 2022 as compared to 1990.
The perception that immigrants are taking “Black jobs” may be due to immigrants’ movement across industries and geographic regions, with immigrants and U.S.-born Black workers having a higher concentration in southern states over recent decades, the commentary notes.
The piece argues that focusing on perceived job displacement distracts from crucial policy discussions on adapting to economic and demographic change, as well as fostering a dynamic, diverse workforce.
“As U.S.-born and immigrant workers increasingly work side by side, and as ongoing global forces and technological changes reshape the economy’s mix of occupations, it is to be expected
that jobs and the composition of the workforce will, and perhaps should, change,” Lacarte writes. “Policymakers should consider increased investments in training and retraining to help all U.S. workers adapt.”
The reality is that the number of U.S. jobs has continually grown, so that even as foreign-born workers have claimed a growing share of the U.S. labor market and expanded their presence across industries, it does not appear that this has occurred at the expense of U.S.-born Black workers. At the same time, immigrants’ movement across industries and geographic regions may explain why the foreign-born workforce has become more visible, creating perceptions of a displacement effect in the U.S.-born Black community that does not actually exist.
The Migration Policy Institute is an independent think tank in Washington, D.C. dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide. MPI provides analysis, development and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national and international levels.
Strawberry farm workers in California. Photo: Unsplash
Fiesta in America 2024: When cultures come together to celebrate
By Angelito Cabigao
Out of the 10,000 giveaway pieces that IKEA provided to Fiesta in America attendees, one special piece stood out at their booth: a unique poster that captured the spirit of this Philippine-inspired indoor expo. This artwork, designed with iconic Filipino emblems like the Jose Rizal monument, the Jeepney, the Banaue Rice Terraces, and the Guimaras mangoes, was a true reflection of Philippine pride.
Bianca Perez of IKEA shared that this art piece was designed specifically for Fiesta by the wife of one of the furniture company’s Filipino team members. Beyond IKEA, there were other similar collaborative efforts between the Filipino and multicultural communities. For instance, did you catch TikTok sensations Jeffrey and Mama of “Our Filipino Grandma” fame with over 1.8 million TikTok followers teaching line dancing on stage to a multicultural crowd? Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Fiesta opening, I joined Jeffrey and Mama for some Filipino line dancing. The multicultural crowd that had gathered at American Dream was just as enthused. I was inspired seeing how Jeffrey, being born in the U.S., maintained and promoted the traditional Filipino family value of respect and care for elders.
Additional performers on stage included Jessica Sanchez, JAGMAC, Arato Brothers, Band of Brothers, Sounds of Manila, Bibak NY, Not Shy Dance Crew, Wynnum Sabile, and The Green Planet.
Off stage, Fiesta In America – founded by Fernando Mendez and his late wife Mila -- also offered a diverse mix of experiences to cater to everyone regardless of age, gender and social status. Food enthusiasts indulged in the diverse flavors of brands, with exhibitors like HMart, Bang Cookies, Jollibee, and the Kapamilya Food Truck. Travelers booked enticing flight deals from Philippine Airlines, EVA Air, Delta Air, and Korean Airlines, with giveaways. Collectors had the chance to snap up treasured finds like Pokémon cards, Gundam figures, and Bayani comics, while gift seekers found unique items ranging from Ilocos’s Inabel Shop to beauty products from Sephora, which also offered free Philippine flag temporary tattoo designs for attendees. Gretz Jewelry and Parols of America added to the array of special finds for Palawan pearls and Capiz ornaments.
The event also provided opportunities for connection and growth, with educa-
tional institutions such as the Filipino School of New York & New Jersey, the FUNK Filipino Club at Kean University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University engaging with families. Children and families enjoyed hands-on activities from UNIFFIED and Toys R’ Us.
Senior citizens benefited from health screenings provided by the Philippine Nurses Association of New York and Hackensack Meridian Health. Health and wellness enthusiasts found services from New Jersey Department of Health and Liberty Insurance and products from IAM Worldwide, CERAGEM, and Saladmaster.
HR and tech startups were represented by MabuhayHR and FastR, while financial institutions such as Philippine National Bank, Valley Bank, Pomelo, and Remitly showcased their banking and remittance services. Community leaders had the unique opportunity to engage with government officials from New Jersey, the Philippine Consulate in New York, and the mayors of Siargao. At the same time, real estate investors such as Rockwell Land and Ayala Land made an impactful presence.
Fashion enthusiasts were treated to the elegant collection of Carl Andrada, who brought the beauty of Philippine sceneries to life through a vibrant fashion show. Additionally, Filipino American designer Jason from Pocket Kings BK introduced Brooklyn-made clothing, adding a contemporary edge to the event.
Media and press outlets like The FilAm, GMA, and OSM! provided vital support, amplifying the event's reach.
Fiesta In America 2024 demonstrated the power of collaboration between Filipino and multicultural communities in America while celebrating the richness of Philippine cultural heritage and preserving it for future generations.
The crowd watching a Philippine regional dance on stage. Photos by Jeff Rivera
Fashion presentation by designer Carl Andrada
How Rodrigo Duterte brought the Philippines to its ‘twilight zone’
By Allen Gaborro
In the post-EDSA I political and social milieu, it was hardly surprising that millions of Filipinos embraced former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s highly controversial stratagems and actions, or what political scientist, media personality, and academic intellectual Richard Javad Heydarian refers to in his expository book, “The Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt against Elite Democracy,” as Duterte’s “tried-andtested scorched-earth policies.”
Heydarian’s study of the Philippines’ 16th president consists of direct examinations and assessments that find traction in the face of the anti-democratic trends we are seeing around the world today.
Heydarian writes that “Duterte shares significant similarities with other strongmen such as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vladimir Putin, who upended the politics of their respective countries by promising an alternative form of governance and political worldview under a firm and decisive style of leadership.”
One of the main pillars of Duterte’s power and legitimacy was represented by the swing away from liberal democracy towards right-wing populism that is being witnessed in several corners of the international community. As a result of the widespread disillusionment with the promise of globalization and the technological revolution, populism in intemperate form has been making its rounds around the planet and blighting liberal democracies in the process.
Heydarian is persuasive as he emphasizes the role populism played in catapulting Rodrigo Duterte to power. He paints a picture of Philippine populism in the 21st century that has been a response to the shortfall, or unwillingness, of the post-1986 EDSA leaders and exponents in actualizing the reformist promise of that event.
He shares similarities with strongmen Erdogan and Putin.
As Heydarian concludes about the episode of Philippine history commonly known as the “People Power” phenomenon, “The upsurge of right-wing populism in the Philippines is the natural byproduct of the failure of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution to fulfill its greatest emancipatory potentials.”
In other words, Rodrigo Duterte did not arise out of a vacuum. As a presidential candidate and president, he assumed the role of both spokesman and standard-bearer for the Filipino masses, expressing their primal cry for the justice, prosperity, equality, and rule of law that was supposed to be granted them after EDSA I.
Denied those ideals, the Filipino masses became vulnerable to, according to Heydarian: “mobilization by demagogues and strongman leaders, who offer not
only simplistic solutions, but also overnight salvation and a utopia of collective empowerment (often in the name of the country) in exchange for unbending obedience to their absolute authority.”
Duterte’s rule, in courting popularity and loyalty, strongly knit together a ruling narrative of power that has impressed upon Heydarian that the Philippines is “on the verge of crashing into a frenzy of anarchy, swallowed by a mindless orgy of violence, hatred, and intolerance. There were nights when one was not sure whether you would still wake up to a democratic society.”
Heydarian cautions that Duterte brought the Philippines to what he calls a complicated “interregnum,” a liminal phase in which it finds itself “struggling to anchor itself somewhere between strongman
148 pages
populism, autocratic nostalgia, and democratic resistance—with no clear resolution on the horizon. The Philippines has entered a twilight zone.”
Not that the situation has changed much since Duterte left office in 2022. He -- and his family -- remain a threat to Philippine democracy even as he faces a potential ICC extradition for crimes against humanity during his murderous and ineffective drug war.
As Philippine democracy unrelentingly approaches a precipice, Filipinos need to get in touch with the lessons of their country’s recent history for they are in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past. Richard Heydarian in “The Rise of Duterte” proves to be willing and able in getting this point across.
‘The Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt against Elite Democracy’ Palgrave Pivot October 2017
Honoring a community activist and documentary filmmaker
By Jon Melegrito
Noel “Sonny” Izon and wife Kathryn were waiting to board their flight in Milan, Italy on October 25 last year after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
They also attended a special screening of “An Open Door: Holocaust Haven in the Philippines,” Izon’s award-winning documentary about the acceptance by the Philippines of more than a thousand Jewish refugees who were fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe before the outbreak of World War II.
The 76-year-old filmmaker, however, didn’t make it back to their home in Takoma Park, Maryland. He passed away on that day.
A founding member of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), Izon was remembered lovingly by family members, friends and colleagues who gathered for a memorial mass on September 14 at the University of Maryland Chapel in College Park, the same chapel where the couple exchanged vows 51 years ago.
To honor Izon’s achievements as “our premier quintessential documentary filmmaker who contributed immeasurably to our group’s success in securing passage of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2016,” FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) presented the award to the Izon family during the Personal Reflections segment following the Mass.
Izon’s wife Kathyrn, daughter Laura and granddaughter Juliet, accepted the medal, commemorative coins and other mementos.
| ‘Up front and center’
In his remarks, Taguba noted how Izon was “up front and center in producing a series of documentary films to enable our group to show members of Congress why they should approve the Congressional Gold Medal for the soldiers whose interminable service and sacrifice saved our country.”
He added that “Sonny had a deep personal association with the compelling and powerful story of the Filipino veterans experience since his father was also involved in fighting the Japanese invaders.”
‘A truly honorable man’ Sonny Izon’s widow, Kathryn, receives the Congressional Gold Medal from FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret). Looking on, from left, are granddaughter Juliet Izon, FilVetREP Board Member Lida Peterson and daughter Laura Izon. Photo by Bing Branigin
“This is all in remembrance of a truly honorable man,” Taguba said. The gathering of friends responded with a standing ovation.
A dozen other friends and colleagues shared recollections and reminiscences. Izon’s daughter, Laura, recalled her father’s playfulness and sense of humor.
“We are so lucky to have laughed with him,” she said.
A reception followed after the mass at the Mulligan’s Grill & Pub, where Izon’s fellow musicians played his favorite songs. Izon was the band’s bassist.
In developing FilVetREP’s educational program, www.dutytocountry. org, Taguba described Izon’s professional work in the oral history segments of the online program that featured 30 interview sessions with living veterans and family members. Kathryn provided voice narrations in some of the videos.
“Sonny was everywhere in his remarkable and personal contributions to elevate and present the incredible contributions of Filipino and American soldiers who were denied their promised entitlements and compensations when Congress passed the Rescission Acts of 1946,” Taguba said. “Without Sonny’s personal involvement, creative film producing experience, and persistent efforts, FilVetREP would not have accomplished its mission of securing national recognition of our veterans.”
Among Izon’s other notable contributions as “a pillar of community activism,” was his documentary “Untold Triumph,” a story of Filipino soldiers in California and Hawaii who enlisted and made their way to the Philippines in 1944-45. He also lent his documentary skills in chronicling 100 years of the Filipino American story. “Singgalot,” the 2006 Smithsonian Centennial Commemoration exhibit, celebrated Filipino Americans’ struggles, challenges and achievements.
Courting the AAPI Independents
By Sunita Sohrabji
The large, largely untapped bloc of Asian American Independent voters could deliver the win to Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris or her opponent, Republican Donald Trump in an extremely tight race.
The New York Times/Siena College poll, released one day ahead of the September 10 debate, showed Trump leading Harris by 1 point, with a margin of error at +/- 2.8 points. The two are in a tie in the critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Arizona. Harris edges out Trump by the slimmest of margins in Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, while Trump prevails by 1 point in Georgia.
The critical swing states are home to about 1.75 million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who are eligible to vote. They may represent just 3 or 4% of the voting population in their states, but that small percentage could deliver the margin of victory.
| Up for grabs
At a September 6 Ethnic Media Services news briefing, Republican strategist Rina Shah said the huge bloc of AANHPI Independents is up for grabs by any party who actively engages with the community. The 2024 Asian American Voter Survey revealed that less than 42% of AANHPI voters had been contacted by either party. Immigration reform, education, educational equity, and economic opportunity are key issues that register with AANHPI voters of either party, said Shah. Both parties need to engage more directly with the AANHPI community through not only targeted outreach, but also by addressing specific local concerns, she said, adding such outreach could include hosting community events, working with local leaders, and creating policies that address the unique needs of the community.
“To court the growing independent AANHPI vote, it’s going to take a mix of relevant policy focus as well as genuine engagement,” said Shah.
Many Republicans are dissatisfied with Trump at the top of the ticket, said Shah, who in 2016 headed up Republican presidential candidate Evan McMullin’s bid for the White House. She noted that they may vote for Harris at the top of the ticket but continue to vote Republican in down-ballot races.
| First-time voters
Fifteen million AANHPIs are eligible to vote, noted APIAVote President Christine Chen. In 2020, about 65% came out to vote. In critical battleground states, roughly one out of four AANHPIs were voting for the first time.
In 2020, President Joe Biden won Georgia by less than 12,000 votes. The number of AAPIs who voted in 2020 in Georgia was over 142,000, and 26% were first-time voters, said Chen.
“If you do the math, that’s about 39,000 voters, three times the margin of victory. So these are concrete ways and numbers that we’re seeing where we actually are making a difference,” she said.
Bread and butter issues, along with immigration, and crime are among the most important issues for AANHPI voters, but Chen said that a significant number of voters see little difference in which party can successfully tackle those issues.
| ‘The reason for victory’
“The AANHPI vote is very significant,” said Shekar Narasimhan, chairman and founder of the AAPI Victory Fund. “I prefer actually, instead of saying that we are the margin of victory, to saying now that we are the reason for victory,” he said, speaking from the battleground state of Michigan, where he had organized a massive Get Out the Vote effort.
Narasimhan agreed that AANHPI voters of any persuasion need to be more effectively courted. Asian Americans are among the most active on social media, but in 2020, the first truly virtual year for campaigning, more than half the community was not reached.
“Candidates don’t know how to talk to us, which
language to reach, which communities to talk to, the WhatsApp channels that we frequent, or the television. And therefore, there is an absence of information,” said Narasimhan, who noted that a huge percentage of AANHPIs are low-information voters. “We tell every candidate to show up in our communities, talk to our voters about the issues that matter to this community,” he said, noting critical issues include immigration, and access to capital for small businesses.
| Asian American conservatism
University of San Francisco Professor Dr. James Zarsadiaz discussed the history of Asian American conservatism. Until the 1990s, Asian Americans traditionally voted Republican, believing that the party was aligned with their values of traditional families and supporting economic growth. George HW Bush successfully courted AAPI voters in 1992, and Bob Dole followed in 1996, though there was also considerable enthusiasm for Democratic candidate Bill Clinton.
The year 2000 saw a dramatic shift, as AAPIs voted for Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore, who won the popular vote, but lost the electoral college. A wave of anti-Asianism, along with the new “hard right policies” of House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Congress made many AAPIs question their loyalty to the Republican Party, said Zarsadiaz, who is working on a book, “The Asian American Conservative.” – Ethnic Media Services
The percentage of Asian Americans who identify as Independents has grown to 31%, according to AAPIData. Canva Photo
The brave legacy of Filipino nurses featured in powerful documentary
Filmmaker Michele Josue explores the untold history and legacy of Filipino nurses in the United States and their selflessness and bravery in the face of tragedy, including on the frontlines of the COVID19 pandemic in the feature documentary “Nurse Unseen.”
Josue is the Emmy-awardwinning director of “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” and the critically lauded Netflix Original Documentary Series “Happy Jail” about the world-famous Filipino prison inmates in Cebu dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” It won the 2021 Silver Telly Award for Series Documentary for Television.
With great skill, sensitivity, and humanity, she presents her subjects with the respect and recognition they deserve. She handles their often heartbreaking stories with tenderness and the greatest admiration for these frontline heroes.
The film opens with a nurse, wearing a white uniform and a cap, about to board a plane bound for the U.S. Splices of women’s voices can be heard enumerating some of the common reasons Filipino women went for the nursing profession: “My mom wanted me to become a nurse… that if you choose nursing it would be easy to go to the United States… America is the land of milk and honey…We wanted a different life, so this is what we chose…”
Josue tells The FilAm why she made the film.
“I began ‘Nurse Unseen’ with a quest to honor the nurses in my family and the Filipino American nurses who were sacrificing so much to care for us all during the pandemic. Through the film, we wanted our community, specifically the nurses, to feel seen and appreciated,” she said.
Over the last year and a half, that “Nurse Unseen” has traveled the film
festival circuit across the U.S. Josue said, “We've been touched by the overwhelmingly positive responses from audience members who are learning about the history of nursing
came to the U.S. in the 1960s and ‘70s. ‘We wanted a different life.’
in relation to Filipinos for the first time and are inspired to not only learn more about this layered history but also to learn how they can better support our nurses, who make up a significant portion of this country's nursing workforce.”
Reports state that “more than 150,000 Filipino nurses have migrated to the United States since the 1960s.” According to a 2021 National Geographic article, “America’s Filipino nurses remain resilient pillars at home and abroad despite pandemic.” It is estimated that 500,000 healthcare workers are of Filipino descent.
“Nurse Unseen” kicks off its North American theatrical release starting on October 4th, 2024, in New York at the Quad Cinema and Los Angeles on October 11th, 2024, at the Laemmle Glendale. Opening weekends in both Filipina
nurses who
Nurse turns to her Faith in a time of COVID.
markets will feature panels with the director, producers, and key subjects from the film.
“Nurse Unseen” is directed by Josue, and co-produced by Josue, Carlo Velayo, and Joe Arciaga. Josue, Velayo, and Jhett Tolentino are executive producers.
The film received the Global Health Competition Award at the Cleveland International Film Festival and Audience Awards for Best Documentary at CAAMFest, the Asian American International Film Festival, and the Boston Asian American Film Festival. The film is distributed by FANP LLC, in association with Ry Levey Film PR, Distribution & Marketing.
| The filmmaker
Michele Josue is an Emmy award-winning Filipino filmmaker. Her films have screened at film
festivals including DOC NYC documentary festival, Mill Valley, Cleveland International and at venues including the Washington National Cathedral and U.S. Department of State.
In 2022, Michele was selected by the Philippine Embassy and the Ayala Foundation as a delegate of the Filipino Young Leaders Program, a network of high-performing, next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries.
She has served as a juror at several film festivals and has participated as a speaker and guest on various film panels, podcasts, and shows including The View. Her essays have been featured in Indiewire, The Huffington Post, and The New York Times Upfront.
Director and executive producer Michele Josue
Issue 80, October 2024
AAPI voters Can we determine the next president?
Honoring a community historian
‘Nurses Unseen’ Dedicated to the invisible Pinay nurse